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A system and method for collecting refuse is disclosed which can include a
database including a customer profile having a database record. A
collection vehicle can be provided that includes a storage area for
receiving refuse and a weighing system for determining the weight of the
refuse collected. A database record of the refuse weight can be
transmitted to the database. The collection vehicle can include a
transmission system for transmitting the data of the database to a remote
communication system. The communication system can automatically bill the
customer for the collection services provided and transfer funds from the
customer's account to the collector's account. The communication system
can generate a communication to the customer which includes the data from
the customer's customer profile and billing information.

1. A system for collecting refuse comprising: a database including a
customer profile having a database record; a collection vehicle, the
collection vehicle including a storage area for receiving refuse and a
weighing system for determining the weight of the refuse collected and
generating a database record of the refuse weight, the weighing system in
operable arrangement with the database to send the database record of the
refuse weight to the database for storing in association with the
customer profile, the collection vehicle including a transmission system
for transmitting the data of the database; and a remote communication
system for receiving the data from the transmission system of the
collection vehicle.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the customer profile includes a
database record of a billing rate.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the database comprises a
computer file disposed in computer readable form on a computer readable
medium.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the customer profile includes a
database record of a customer location, and the collection vehicle
includes a GPS for determining a collection vehicle location, the GPS in
operable arrangement with the database to retrieve a customer profile by
matching the collection vehicle location with the associated database
record of the customer location.

5. The system according to claim 4 wherein the customer profile includes a
database record of a collection vehicle operating parameter, and the
collection vehicle includes a control unit, the control unit in operable
arrangement with the database to retrieve the database record of the
collection vehicle operating parameter from the customer profile, the
control unit adapted to control the operation of the collection vehicle
according to the database record of the collection vehicle operating
parameter.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein the customer profile includes a
database record of a collection vehicle operating parameter, and the
collection vehicle includes a control unit, the control unit in operable
arrangement with the database to retrieve the database record of the
collection vehicle operating parameter from the customer profile, the
control unit adapted to control the operation of the collection vehicle
according to the database record of the collection vehicle operating
parameter.

7. The system according to claim 6 wherein the operating parameter is the
amount of noise generated by the collection vehicle.

8. The system according to claim 1 wherein the transmission system of the
collection vehicle comprises a cellular transmitter.

9. The system according to claim 1 wherein the transmission system of the
collection vehicle comprises a radio transmitter.

10. The system according to claim 1 wherein the remote communication
system is operable to generate a communication to a customer, the
communication including the data of the customer's customer profile.

11. The system according to claim 10 wherein the communication comprises a
piece of paper bearing indicia.

12. The system according to claim 10 wherein the communication comprises
an electronic transmission via an electronic communication network.

13. The system according to claim 10 wherein the communication comprises
an audio transmission via a telephonic network.

14. The system according to claim 1 further comprising: a container for
storing refuse to be collected by the collection vehicle.

15. The system according to claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of
containers for storing refuse before being collected by the collection
vehicle, at least one of the containers being a different size than the
other containers.

16. The system according to claim 14 wherein the container includes an
identifier element.

17. The system according to claim 14 wherein the container includes an
identifier element, and the customer profile includes a database record
of the container identifier element.

18. The system according to claim 17 wherein the identifier element
comprises a bar code.

19. The system according to claim 18 wherein the collection vehicle
includes a reader for reading the bar code, the reader in operable
arrangement with the database to retrieve the customer profile by
matching the bar code read by the reader with the associated database
record of the container identifier element.

20. The system according to claim 14 wherein the collection vehicle
includes a lift mechanism for conveying the refuse stored in the
container to the storage area of the collection vehicle.

21. A method for collecting refuse comprising: storing a customer profile
having a database record in a database; disposing a collection vehicle at
a customer location having an amount of refuse; collecting the refuse
from the customer location by conveying the refuse to a storage area of
the vehicle; determining the weight of the refuse collected from the
customer location; generating a database record of the refuse weight;
sending the database record of the refuse weight to the database for
storing in association with the customer profile; transmitting the data
of the database to a remote communication system.

22. The method according to claim 21 wherein the database comprises a
computer file disposed in computer readable form on a computer readable
medium.

23. The method according to claim 21 wherein the customer profile includes
a database record of a billing rate.

24. The method according to claim 21 wherein the customer profile includes
a database record of a customer location, and the collection vehicle
includes a GPS, the method further comprising: determining a collection
vehicle location; retrieving a customer profile by matching the
collection vehicle location with the associated database record of the
customer location.

25. The method according to claim 24 wherein the customer profile includes
a database record of a collection vehicle operating parameter, the method
further comprising: retrieving the database record of the collection
vehicle operating parameter from the customer profile; operating the
collection vehicle according to the database record of the collection
vehicle operating parameter.

26. The method according to claim 21 wherein the customer profile includes
a database record of a collection vehicle operating parameter, the method
further comprising: retrieving the database record of the collection
vehicle operating parameter from the customer profile; operating the
collection vehicle according to the database record of the collection
vehicle operating parameter.

27. The method according to claim 26 wherein the operating parameter is
the amount of noise generated by the collection vehicle.

29. The method according to claim 21 wherein the transmitting step
comprises a radio transmitting.

30. The method according to claim 21 further comprising: sending the data
of the customer profile to the customer via the remote communication
system.

31. The method according to claim 30 wherein in the sending step, the data
of the customer profile is sent to the customer via a piece of paper
bearing indicia.

32. The method according to claim 30 wherein in the sending step, the data
of the customer profile is sent to the customer by an electronic
transmission via an electronic communication network.

33. The method according to claim 30 wherein in the sending step, the data
of the customer profile is sent to the customer by an audio transmission
via a telephonic network.

34. The method according to claim 21 further comprising: storing refuse in
a container at the customer location.

35. The method according to claim 34 wherein the container includes an
identifier element, the method further comprising: identifying the
container by the identifier element.

36. The system according to claim 35 wherein the identifier element
comprises a bar code.

37. The system according to claim 36 wherein the customer profile includes
a database record of the container identifier element, the method further
comprising: reading the bar code on the container; matching the bar code
read by the reader with the database record of the container identifier
element.

38. The method according to claim 21 further comprising: billing the
customer for collecting the refuse from the customer location.

39. The method according to claim 38 wherein in the billing step, the
customer is billed at a collection rate based on the refuse weight.

40. The method according to claim 39 wherein in the billing step, the
customer is billed at a collection rate which varies based on the refuse
weight.

41. The method according to claim 35 further comprising: billing the
customer for collecting the refuse from the customer location.

42. The method according to claim 41 wherein in the billing step, the
customer is billed at a collection rate which varies based on whether the
container is identified as being one of a group of selected containers.

43. The method according to claim 38 further comprising: collecting funds
from the customer.

44. The method according to claim 43 wherein in the collecting step, the
funds are automatically collected via EFT.

45. The method according to claim 43 wherein in the collecting step, the
funds are automatically collected via a credit transaction.

46. A system for collecting refuse comprising: a container, the container
including an identifier element; a database including a customer profile
having a database record of the container identifier element; a
collection vehicle, the collection vehicle including a storage area for
receiving refuse and a reader, the reader in operable arrangement with
the database to match the identifier element read by the reader with the
database record of the container identifier element.

47. The system according to claim 46 wherein the identifier element is a
bar code.

48. A method for collecting refuse comprising: storing an operator profile
having a database record of an operating parameter in a database;
retrieving the operator profile from the database with a management
system of a collection vehicle; controlling the operating parameter of
the collection vehicle based on the operator profile.

49. The method according to claim 48 wherein the operating parameter is
performance of an engine of the collection vehicle.

50. The method according to claim 48 wherein the operating parameter is
performance of a hydraulic system of the collection vehicle.

51. A method for collecting refuse comprising: storing a customer profile
having a database record of an operating parameter in a database;
retrieving the customer profile from the database with a management
system of a collection vehicle; controlling the operating parameter of
the collection vehicle based on the customer profile.

52. The method according to claim 51 wherein the operating parameter is
performance of an engine of the collection vehicle.

53. The method according to claim 51 wherein the operating parameter is
performance of a hydraulic system of the collection vehicle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/464,513, filed Apr. 22, 2003, and
entitled "System and Method for Refuse Collection," which is incorporated
in its entirety herein by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to refuse collection and,
more particularly, to systems and methods for refuse collection including
mobile collection vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The collection of trash is a service industry. Any activity that a
trash collection provider engages in, and devotes resources toward, that
does not contribute directly to the provider's profitability or to an
increased level of service for the provider's customers can be viewed as
adversely affecting the provider's business. Spending by the trash
collector on sales and general administrative expenses (SGA) in
connection with accounts receivable can be viewed as not adding value to
the enterprise.

[0004] The trash collection provider has limited options to differentiate
itself from other trash collectors in the industry with the industry
moving toward an increased level of homogeneity. Typically, trash
collectors use a similar revenue system which charges customers a fixed
monthly fee without taking into account the amount of trash actually
collected from each respective customer. Furthermore, the typical
collection vehicle does not have the capability to optimize vehicle
performance based on a particular customer or to optimize the route for
collection which minimizes fuel usage and noise generation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides a refuse collection system and a
method for collecting refuse which can include a database of customer
profiles, each having a plurality of database records, a mobile
collection vehicle, a performance control system, a data collection
system, a data transmission system, and a trash hauler's business
communication system. The refuse collection system according to the
present invention can enhance a trash collector's cash flow, reduce its
SGA spending, reduce fuel costs, and enhance its service for its
customers.

[0006] The collection vehicle can include a storage area for receiving
refuse and a weighing system for determining the weight of the refuse
collected. The weighing system can generate a database record of the
refuse weight. The record can be sent to the database for storage in
association with the customer profile of the customer whose refuse is
being collected. The transmission system can be provided for transmitting
the data of the database to the remote business communication system.

[0007] The customer profile can include a customer location record. The
collection vehicle can include a global positioning system (GPS) for
determining a collection vehicle location. A customer profile can be
retrieved from the database by matching the collection vehicle location
with an associated database record of the customer location.

[0008] The customer profile can include a database record of a collection
vehicle operating parameter. The performance control system or control
unit can retrieve the collection vehicle operating parameter record from
the database and can control the operation of the collection vehicle
according to the retrieved database record.

[0009] The refuse collection system can include a container for storing
refuse to be collected by the collection vehicle. The container can be
disposed at the customer location. The refuse system can include a
plurality of containers of different sizes and/or capacities. Each
container can include an identifier element, such as a bar code. The
collection vehicle can include a reader for reading the bar code and be
operably arranged with the database to match the bar code read by the
reader with an associated database record of a container identifier
element attributed to a particular customer profile.

[0010] Each customer's customer profile can be updated after each
collection. The remote communication system can generate a communication
to the customer which includes the data of the customer's customer
profile. The communication can take any suitable form such as a written
communication, an electronic communication, e-mail for instance, or an
audio communication, for example. The business communication system can
generate a bill which can be part of the communication sent to the
customer. The communication system can also automatically deduct a
payment from the customer's account by, for example, electronic funds
transfer (EFT) or a credit transaction.

[0011] The features of the present invention will become apparent to one
of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the detailed description, in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a flowchart representing steps in a method for collecting
refuse according to the present invention which can be carried out by a
system for collecting refuse according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In accordance with the teachings of the present invention and with
reference to FIG. 1, there is provided an embodiment of a system for
refuse collection. FIG. 1 schematically depicts a method for collecting
refuse according to the present invention which can be carried out by a
system for collecting refuse 10 according to the present invention. The
refuse collection system includes a database having a customer profile
for each customer. The customer profile can include a plurality of
database records which store data for use with a GPS, such as,
coordinates of the customer location being serviced, for example. The
customer profile can include other data, such as the description of
customer, such as, residential or commercial, for example, the number of
containers at the customer location, the container size at the customer
location, the identification of the containers at the customer location,
the projected weight to be collected from the customer location at each
collection, and the rate class at which the customer is billed with
different classes being charged a different rate for collection services,
for example.

[0014] The refuse collection system can include a container for use at
each customer location. Each container can include a bar code provided
with a unique identification number which can be attributed to the
particular customer location at which the container is situated. The
refuse collection system can include a plurality of containers which have
different sizes and/or capacities.

[0015] The refuse collection system can include a mobile collection
vehicle, such as, a truck, for example. The collection vehicle can
include a lifting mechanism for automatically emptying the container. The
collection vehicle can include a storage area for receiving refuse and an
onboard weighing system to measure the amount of trash collected from a
particular container at a customer location. The collection vehicle can
include a data recording and transmission system which is capable of
storing, recording, and modifying a plurality of records relating to a
corresponding plurality of records relating to a corresponding plurality
of parameters, such as, customer information, location, weight of refuse
collected, container emptied (e.g., whether it is a standardized
container), time collection vehicle was at customer location, date
collection vehicle was at customer location, and digital photograph of
location, for example, and transmitting the data to a remote location,
via cellular or radio frequency (RF) technology, for example.

[0016] Each mobile collection vehicle can include a GPS capable of
providing the location of the collection vehicle with respect to at least
one customer site and capable of recording positions for obtaining data
for the customer profile. The trash collection vehicle can include a bar
code reader which can be configured to read the bar code mounted to the
container. The vehicle can include a data storage system which is capable
of storing and displaying a plurality of collection routes and a
plurality of customer locations. The data storage system can be used to
store the database and retrieve customer profiles associated with the
corresponding customers. The collection vehicle can include a positioning
cylinder system which is capable of discrete position and location
recording and feedback to the controller system to provide a closed-loop
system. The vehicle can include an integrated hydraulic system and engine
management system with performance maps linked to the customer profiles
and the GPS to modify one or more parameters of the collection vehicle
based upon the particular customer site at which the collection vehicle
is located. The feedback can allow operator profiles to be generated and
stored in a database. The operator's operator profile can be retrieved
when that particular operator is running the collection vehicle. The
performance of the engine and/or the hydraulic system, for example, can
be controlled based on the operator's operator profile to enhance
performance of the vehicle and to improve collection efficiency.

[0017] To provide an evidentiary record that the collector provided
collection services on a particular day at a particular customer
location, the collection vehicle can include a camera mounted thereto for
taking photographs of the customer locations along the collection route.
The camera can be mounted such that the act of emptying the container
into the collection vehicle can be recorded. Preferably, the camera is a
digital camera with the digital photographs being capable of being
transmitted to the database as a database record attributable to the
particular customer profile. Preferably, the photograph taken includes a
portion of the environment of the customer location to allow for
verification that the photograph was taken at the particular customer
location. The photograph can bear a time and date stamp on it. The
photograph can have other information taken from the customer profile
imprinted upon it. In other embodiments, the camera can be hand-held and
manipulated by the operator. In yet other embodiments, other recording
devices, such as, a video recorder, for example can be used.

[0018] The trash collector can make collections at respective customer
sites using a rate structure which is based on a predetermined price per
unit of weight of refuse collected, for example. With a billing structure
based upon use rather than simply a fixed fee, the trash collector can
offer the customer an economic incentive to select the trash collector to
provide collection services. The trash collector can implement a rate
structure which includes a different rate for different weight ranges of
refuse collected. For example, the billing rate per unit of weight
collected can decrease when the customer requires refuse collection in a
higher weight range.

[0019] The billing rate can include a differing price structure for
collection from a container provided by the trash collector as opposed to
a container not provided the collector, for example. By changing the rate
structure depending upon whether the customer is using a container
selected by the trash collector as opposed to a non-selected container,
the refuse collection system can provide an economic incentive to
modifying customer behavior toward using a container selected by the
trash collector. The use of a standardized container by the trash
collection provider can help the trash collector increase the efficiency
of the usage of its fleet of collection vehicles, increase the efficiency
of the collection route of each vehicle of the fleet, and facilitate the
use of one-man collection for each collection vehicle.

[0020] The trash collector can bill each customer via an automatic method,
such as, EFT or payment via debit or credit card, for example, or via any
conventional billing method. The rate paid by a particular customer can
be varied depending upon the billing method the customer selects.
Preferably, the rate structure is configured such that there is an
incentive for the customer to select a billing method which bills the
customer for each collection and provides a way for the trash collector
to receive funds automatically upon billing the customer.

[0021] In one embodiment of a method for collecting refuse, a mobile trash
collection vehicle is provided. The collection vehicle is disposed at a
customer location. The collection vehicle includes a GPS which can
determine at which customer location the truck is disposed through
interaction with the database. The customer profile for the customer
location can be retrieved from the database. A management system located
on the collection vehicle can adjust one or more parameters of the
vehicle to tailor the performance of the vehicle according to the
customer profile attributable to the customer location. The operating
parameters can include the operation of the engine and the hydraulic
system, for example. The tailoring of the performance of the collection
vehicle can improve cycle time and reduce fuel usage and noise
generation, for example.

[0022] An onboard bar code reader provided on the collection vehicle can
be positioned by the operator of the vehicle such that it can interact
with a bar code mounted to a container disposed at the customer location,
at a curbside or in a container barn, for example. The bar code reader
can identify the particular container in question via the bar code.

[0023] The operator of the collection vehicle can empty the container
automatically via the lift mechanism or manually, for example. An onboard
weighing system included on the collection vehicle can measure the weight
of the trash collected from the container at the customer location. In
one embodiment, the weighing system can weigh the container and the
refuse collected therein. The weight of the container can be included as
a database record in the database such that the weighing system can
automatically deduct the weight of the container from the weight measured
by the measuring system to reach the measured weight of the refuse
collected. At customer locations having a plurality of containers, the
same procedure can be used for all containers so located.

[0024] If the customer location includes a container which has not been
selected by the collector, the operator of the collection vehicle can
empty the contents of that container into the collection vehicle. The
operator can input into the data storage system that the container was
not a selected container. The onboard weighing system can weigh the
amount of trash collected from the non-selected container and transmit
the weight to the data storage system. The weighing system can take a
measurement of the weight of the container and refuse stored therein. The
contents of the container can be deposited in the storage area of the
vehicle. The measuring system can take a measurement of the
non-standardized container after its contents have been emptied to reach
a measurement of the weight of the refuse collected therefrom.

[0025] After emptying the contents of each container at the customer
location, the data storage system can be used to update the customer
profile attributable to the particular customer location. The collection
vehicle can be driven to another customer location along a collection
route. Once the vehicle is at the second customer location, the procedure
conducted at the first customer location can be repeated with the data
obtained attributed to the customer profile for the second location.

[0026] At the end of the collection route, the collection vehicle can
transmit the data from the collection activities which occurred along the
collection route to a communicating system which can be located at the
trash collection provider's offices, for example. In other embodiments,
the collection vehicle can transmit data at other times, such as at
predetermined points along the collection route, after a predetermined
number of times completing the route, or substantially simultaneously
upon obtaining new data. In other embodiments, the collection vehicle can
transmit data to the communication system while the collection vehicle is
away from the yard, for example.

[0027] The communicating system can assimilate the collection data
obtained from the collection route, parcel out each specific customer's
collection data, and prepare a customer collections file. Preferably, the
trash collection provider's business communicating system can bill and
collect funds immediately from the customer's predetermined source of
funds, such as via EFT, for example.

[0028] The business system can send an e-mail, for example, to the
customer confirming that trash was collected on the particular date and
reporting the weight of the trash collected and the amount of funds
transferred to the trash collection provider's account from the
customer's account. In the event that the customer had a container
emptied which was not a selected container, the business system can
generate a notice which informs the customer that the billing rate for
the trash collected from the non-selected container was different than
the billing rate used had the container been one of the selected
containers. In other embodiments, the business system can generate
communications which are written on paper and sent via conventional mail
or oral messages which are sent via telephone, for example. The business
system can send communications within a predetermined time from when the
collection services were provided, such as within 24 hours, for example.

[0029] The business communication system can enhance customer relations by
providing a means for the trash collector to maintain a series of
communications with each customer, each communication being within a
predetermined period from the event which is the subject of the
communication.

[0030] All references, including publications, patent applications, and
patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same
extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated
to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety
herein.

[0031] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents
in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of
the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and
the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by
context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to
serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate
value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and
each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were
individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be
performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or
otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all
examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is
intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a
limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise indicated.

[0032] While the invention is described herein in connection with certain
preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit the present invention
to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is recognized that various
changes and modifications to the described embodiments will be apparent
to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description, and
that such changes and modifications may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention. The inventors expect
skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the
inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described herein. Accordingly, the intent is to cover all
alternatives, modifications, and equivalents included within the spirit
and scope of the invention. Moreover, any combination of the
above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is
encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or
otherwise clearly contradicted by context.